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Although two cases of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) were detected in Bengaluru last week, there is no need for fear or anxiety about the virus infection as it has been in existence in India for a long time.
However, people have to be more careful, especially if they are in a high-risk group, says Dr. Rex Sargunam, former director of the Children’s Hospital and president of the Tamil Nadu Health Development Association (TNHDA).
In a telephonic chat with Pharmabiz, Dr. Rex said the human metapneumovirus was first detected in India in 2001, several cases were emerging after it. It is like a viral fever, but affects the upper respiratory system. In severe cases, HMPV can lead to conditions like pneumonia and bronchitis, which are particularly dangerous for infants and toddlers. People aged 65 and above are also at greater risk, he said.
He said there is no need for fear, but awareness about infection is important to prevent the spread of the virus. “Self-protection is a must. People must wear masks to lower the risk of virus transmission. Washing hands with soap and water will also help prevent the spread of the virus. Dr. Rex said TNHDA will organise awareness classes to the public about the virus infection and its prevention in various parts of the state.
Dr KM Venkataramana, former assistant director of the Pasteur Institute of India (PII) in Coonoor in Ootty, said this is a common cold virus like any other virus, but it can affect mostly in children and in older people who are compromised in immunity. Such people should be given health attention. HMPV was in circulation in India in earlier times, but what happened in China is that this virus has now affected a lot of people who thronged at the hospitals. Then it became news. But the virus is not dangerous like coronavirus.
Dr KJ Reena, director of health services (DHS) in Kerala, said HPV is a commensal virus that was detected earlier in Kerala. In the year 2023 and in 2024, several cases were reported in the state. “Now we have intensified surveillance of the virus and watchful of any clustering. No need for fear, but people should wear masks if they have fever or flu. We are routinely detecting the virus here”, said the director who is not only a medical doctor, but also a microbiologist.
According to Dr Jolly SJ, consultant pulmonologist at the Government Hospital Adoor in Kerala, this is a mild viral infection and no need to get panic over it. Mostly this virus affects in children with asthmatic symptoms and in some premature children. But it will recover soon.
He said HMPV was first detected in India twenty years ago, and 20 cases were found, but it was at a controlled level. He said so far, there is no report of the virus in Kerala this year.
Human metapneumovirus or HMPV is a negative-sense single-stranded RNA virus of the family of Pneumoviridae, and is closely related to the Avian Metapneumovirus (AMPV) subgroup C. It was isolated for the first time in 2001 in the Netherlands by using the RAP-PCR (RNA arbitrarily primed PCR technique) for identification of unknown viruses growing in cultured cells.
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